GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. is hosting a series of special events around Valentine’s Day including Valent-ICE, when the public is invited to vote on the subject for a 3,000-pound ice sculpture.

Local ice Ice Gurus Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield, of Food Network’s "Ice Brigade," will turn a giant hunk of ice into one of five options open now for voting online at downtowngr.org. The poll closes at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24.

The options are a life-size sleigh, an arctic scene of penguins and polar bears, lovebirds in a tree, the Robert Indiana LOVE design, and a heart with Cupid.

Lunch on the Rocks on Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 12 to 2 p.m. Vendors will be on location so the public can buy lunch and watch the live carving near the front steps of the Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center NW.

Family Ice Day on Thursday, Feb. 13, from noon to 10 p.m.
Ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle is free for everyone 17 and younger and half off for ages 18 and older. Free hot chocolate is available from 6 to 8 p.m.

Love is in the Ice on Friday, Feb. 14, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Professional photographer will take free photos in front of the ice sculpture, available online at Downtown Grand Rapids' Facebook page.

Voters also have the opportunity to see their name or a special Valentine’s message sculpted in ice. For every $20 donated to The Heartside Fund through the Downtown Inc. website, voters can have 9 characters etched into an ice sculpture; 18 characters are also available for $30. Due to size constraints the number of messages will be limited to 32 engravings and are available on a first come, first served basis.

The Heartside Fund is administered through the Heart of West Michigan United Way to social service organizations to support residents of Heartside in need of temporary assistance including medical bills, weather-appropriate clothing, and job-required purchases.